Former Berkeley Co. schools CFO accused of stealing from family friend

Friday morning, Thomas will be arraigned on state charges from a June indictment and a new charge of breach of trust of non-public funds.

According to the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office, Thomas stole $2,600 from a family friend.

Attorney general’s spokesman Rob Kittle says Thomas was hired by the friend as a bookkeeper after he was fired by the school district.

SLED agents say Thomas was entrusted by the Jackson Davenport Vision Center with bookkeeping and financial management duties when he endorsed two checks drawn on the company’s business account and used it to pay his personal credit card accounts.

According to court records, Thomas used two fraudulent checks totaling $2,657.23.

Prosecutors say Thomas also was responsible for making cash deposits for the business and that $10,000 is missing.

Last December, Thomas pleaded guilty in federal court for stealing more than $1 million from the school district.

If convicted of the federal charges, he faces up to 300 years in prison and $5 million in fines.

Thomas also is facing state charges for stealing from the school district.

A judge on Friday ordered him to remain under house arrest and have no job that involves handling or access to money.